[The evaluation of the spread of the somatic development parameters (weight, height, BMI) over the population the first-year students of the Medical University of Silesia].

Because of spreading increase of the percentage of obese people in our society, there exists a need to draw attention of young people to this problem. In the investigation the positive measures of somatic growth (weight and height) in the assessment of the intensity of overweight, or obesity were used. In the research 518 women and 323 males were involved, first year students of Medical University of Silesia, admitted in Student's Ambulatory of Medical University of Silesia in years 1989-1993.

[The appreciation of the medical students' knowledge concerning the role and work of medical care funds in Polish health care system].

The aim of the research was verification and comparison of the present state of knowledge among the students (of different departments and years ofstudy), about the role ofMedical Care Funds in the up-to-now healthcare system and the patient's rights as far as the students' future profession as doctors, dentists healthcare managers and medical rescuers is concerned. The research was carried out by means of anonymous questionnaire. A uniform "assessment" method was adopted following the principles of didactic measurement.

[The assessment of food intake and declared satisfaction in medical students].

Proper nutrition is one of the basic factors of the external environment which substantially influence the assurance and upkeep of a one's good state of health until old age. For students of medicine, i.e.

[Current knowledge among students of the Silesian Medical Academy about the importance and role of medical care funds].

The purpose of this research was verification and comparison of the present state of knowledge among the students of different departments and years of study. The questions concerned the role of Medical Care Funds in the up-to-now healthcare system and the patient's rights as far as the students' future professions as doctors, dentists, healthcare managers and medical rescuers is concerned. The questionnaire included 15 questions referring to the problem of functioning of the medical care institutions after the reform of healthcare services introduced in 1999.

[Self-assessment of nutritinal status in medical students and objective measures of estimating somatic development].

Problem of "obesity epidemic" is still very common, but the knowledge about this is limited and it develops very slowly. Probably it even concerns medical students who are in touch with health problems every day and who will watch over society's health in the future. Available literature estimating people's health is mainly connected with negative measures of human health condition.

[Differentiation of students's knowledge of civilization-related diseases].

The goal of the study was to check and compare the current condition of students' knowledge on civilization-related diseases in relation to their future career as doctors, dentists, health care managers. The questionnaire consisted of 15 closed questions concerning civilization-related diseases. As opposed to majority of studies referring to this problem uniform method of assessment in accordance with the principles of didactic measurement was applied.